Lock and release device for hydraulically operated derricks



H. D. BROWN March 29, 1960 LOCK AND RELEASE DEVICE FOR HYDRAULICALLYOPERATED DERRICKS Filed Aug. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mm D aw {jazz/4rdmm 9w 5 IIIIIIIIII I! A TTORNEV.

March 29, 1960 H. D. BROWN LOCK AND RELEASE DEVICE FOR HYDRAULICALLYOPERATED DERRICKS Filed Aug. 16, 195

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HowardD.

/ Bro zun,

ATTORNEY- United States Patent LOCK AND RELEASE DEVICE FOR HYDRAULI-CALLY OPERATED DERRICKS Howard D. Brown, Westfield, NJ.

Application August 16, 1954, Serial No. 449,953

Claims. (Cl. 212-8) This invention relates to hydraulically operatedderricks of the type and kind mounted upon service trucks. Moreparticularly, the invention deals with a lock and release device ormechanism for controlling the settingup of the derrick from a collapsedposition as well as in returning the derrick from a use to a collapsedposition.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which a certain embodiment of the invention is disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view indicating part of the front of atruck, with one of my improved derricks arranged in operative positionand indicating a second use position of the derrick in dot and dashlines.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken cross-sectional view through one sideportion of the lock and release mechanism employed, with part of theconstruction shown in elevation, the section being substantially on thebroken line 2-2 of Fig. 3, and substantially on the line 2a-2a of Fig.4, with the parts in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a plan and sectional view of part of the construction shown inFig. 2, the section being substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of part of the derrick in collapsedposition in full lines and in raised locked position in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 5,diagrammaticallyillustrating in section part of the background showingand with parts of the construction broken away.

The derrick structure disclosed in this application is generally similarto the structure disclosed in my prior application, Serial Number372,324, filed August 4, 1953, now Patent No. 2,838,182 and the generalassemblage of the derrick, in one use thereof, is diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. In this figure, 10 represents thefront end of a truck, part of the front portion of the chassis beingshown at 11 and at 12 is shown a supporting frame, in connection withwhich the derrick mechanism is mounted. At 13 is indicated in dottedlines the winch for actuating the cable 14 which passes over an idlerpulley, as at 15.

Pivoted, as seen at 16, isthe main A-frame 17 of the derrick, the uppercontracted ends of the frame 17 supporting a pulley 18, over which thecable 14 passes. Pivoted to the upper end portion of the frame 17, asseen at 19, is a main operating hydraulic cylinder 20, which controlsraising and lowering of the frame 17 in the operation of the derrick.The lower end portion of the cylinder unit 20 has a detachable pivotalcoupling with the chassis 11, as indicated at 21. Also piv- 2,930,489Patented Mar. 29, 1960 oted to the derrick frame 17, as indicated at 22,is a prop 23, the lower end portion of which is normally coupled withthe cylinder unit 20 by a yoke-shaped strap 24. By detaching the propfrom the strap 24, the prop 23 can be extended to the use position,indicated in dotdash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Pivoted to the sides of the frame 12 on the pivots 16 are links 25. Inorder to simplify the showing, only one of these links, as well as onlyone of the operating hydraulic cylinders 26, are shown, it beingunderstood that the other side of the derrick structure has a similarunit. The hydraulic cylinders 26 are employed to raise and lower thederrick in controlling movement of the derrick from the collapsedposition upon the top of the frame 12 to the upright position, indicatedin dot-dash lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing, from which latter positionthe derrick frame 17 is released from the lock mechanism employed,permitting the derrick to be moved to the operative positionsillustrated in Fig. 1. In actuating the derrick from said uprightpositions to the collapsed position and vice versa, the derrick ismaintained in locked assemblage with the lifting mechanism comprisingthe links 25 and cylinders 26 through the lock and release device laterdescribed. The cylinders 26 are pivoted to the frame 12, as seen at 26.

At this time, it might be well to point out that, in returning thederrick from the use positions shown in Fig. 1 to the collapsed positionshown in full lines in Fig- 4 of the drawing, the derrick is firstraised from said use positions to a position similar to that indicatedin dot-dash lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing, in which opera tion theframe 17 will automatically be moved into latched or locked couplingwith the links 25 and, at this time, the hydraulic cylinder unit 20 isdetached from the pivot coupling at 21 and then the hydraulic cylinders26 take over in lowering the derrick frame, including the cylinder unit20 with the prop 23 coupled therewith upon the top of the frame 12.

In the reverse operation, the derrick frame 17 is raised from the fullline position shown in Fig. 4 to the dotdash position shown in saidfigure. The cylinder unit 20 is then coupled with the frame 11 by thepivotal coupling 21; after which, the lock mechanism is released,

which allows the derrick frame and its associated parts to swingoutwardly to the dot-dash use positions shown in Fig. 1.

It will be apparent from a consideration of Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawingthat the links 25 are of channel cross-sectional form with the channelsdirected downwardly when the derrick is in the collapsed position. Thehydraulic cylinders 26 are pivoted in the outer ends of the channellinks 25, as seen at 27.

On inner surfaces of the links 25 are welded or otherwise secured plates28, generally of the form indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, and theseplates fit beneath flange portions 29 of plates 30 which are welded orotherwise secured to the side members of the frame 17. The plates 30have rectangular apertures 31 therein, in which are arranged boltsleeves 32 shown in sectional detail in Fig. 3 of the drawing. At thistime, it would be well to bring out that only one of the lock units willbe described. As only one is shown, the other companion unit will beidentical with the one which is shown.

Slidably mounted in the sleeve 32 is a lock bolt 33, part of which isindicated in. Fig. 2 of the drawing, in which figure the notch or recess34' of the bolt is shown for operative engagement with the plate 28. Thelower surface of the outer end of the bolt is rounded, as seen at 35 inFig. 2 of the drawing, as is also the upper outer corner 36. Theroundness at 35 facilitates automatic latch movement of the bolt inpassage over. the

. can be operated to withdraw bolts 33.

plate 28'; whereas, the rounded corner 36 facilitates outward movementof the bolt after having been depressed by the plate 28.

A The bolt 35 has a recess or socket 37 therein for reception of theupper rounded end 38 of :a lever 39 pivoted on the frame 17, as seen at.40. Pivoted to the other end of the lever, as seen at 41, is a yoke link42 which passes over the frame 17, as noted in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

Pivoted in a crossframe 43 of the derrick A-frame 17, as seen at 44, isa lever 45, the upper end of which is pivoted, as seen at 46, to thelink 42. The lower end of the lever 45 is pivoted, as seen at 47 to arod 48 guided in the crossframe 43 by a bearing plate 49. To the innerend of the rod is pivoted a link 59 which, in turn, is pivoted to thelower end of an operating lever 51, as seen at 52. The lever 51 ispivoted, as seen at 53 in the crossframe 43 and another link 56' ispivoted to the lever, as seen at 52, it being understood that the link50 couples with another rod, similar to the rod 48 in the duplication ofthe lock bolt mechanism at the other side of the frame 17. The showingsin the drawing are, to quite an extent, diagrammatic, insofar as manyofthe detailed showings are concerned. However, sufficient mechanism hasbeen illustrated in order to clearly understand the invention. In thisconnection, it will be noted that a raised casing portion 54 is disposedupon the crossframe 43 in housing the links and levers 42, 45 andassociated parts.

7 Fixed to the rod 48 is a collar 55 operating upon a coil spring 56arranged upon the rod, the spring also engaging derrick. In theoperation of collapsing the derrick, the

frame 17 is moved into a raised position to such an extent as to passthe bolts 33 over the plates 28 until the bolts snap into operativeposition, after which the cylinder unit 20 can be uncoupled and thehydraulic cylinders 26 will then take over in lowering the derrick intocollapsed position.

The plates 3t) are reinforced by curved top plates 60, noted in Figs. 5and 6 of the drawing, and the plates 28 and links 25 are guided inmovement into coupled position with plates by curved guide plates 61,note Fig. 6, so as to insure positioning of the frame 17 with the links25 in recoupling the frames with the links, as above mentioned.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the direct lift of thederrick from the collapsed to the raised position is not through themedium of the bolts 33 but rather through direct contact of plates 28with the flanges 29 of the plates as, as clearly noted in Fig. 6 of thedrawing. However, in movement of the derrick frame 17 from the raised orvertical position to the operative positions, the flanges 29 swing awayfrom the plates 28 and the bolts 33 then take over in maintainingcoupled relationship of the parts,

The distinct advantages of the lock construction herein employed is torender derricks of the kind under consideration substantially foolproofinoperation, particularly in providing a definite and positive controlbetween the functioning of the raising and lowering cylinders 26 thebearing plate 49. The'spring operates to normally support the bolt 33 inextended operative position; whereas, actuation of the lever51 againsttheaction of the spring will withdraw the bolt in the operation'ofuncoupling the frame 17 to release the same for movement into theoperative position shown in Fig. 1 of the draw- Centrally of thecross-frame 43 is a saddle '57, in which the cylinder 20 seats when thederrick is in collapsed position. It will also appear that thearrmgement of the lever 51 is such that, when the hydraulic cylinder 20isin the seated position, the lever 51 is rendered inoperative. In otherwords, it is essential for the cylinder 20 to swing out from the frame17 before the lever 51 The lever 51 can bedirectly operated by hand or,if desired, by a cord or cable 58 coupled therewith'and passed around apulley 59 at one side of the frame 17 to extend downwardly forconvenientoperation from the ground.

, The position of the parts as shown in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawing iswhat might be termed the non-lift position. Howevenwhen the links '25are actuated by the hydraulic cylinders 26 and the derrick frame 17 ismoved into the raised position as the frame passes the upper dead centerposition and moves outwardly, the plates 28 will drop into the notches34 ofthe bolts, thus preventing operation of the bolts by reason of thisengagement. As stated above, while the cylinder 29 is still within therange of the saddle 57 and lever 51, the lever cannot be operated. Afterthe frame '17 has moved outwardly sufficiently to clear cylinder unit 29with respect to the saddle'57 and lever 51, the cylinder unit 26 willthen hang downwardly free of the frame 17 and the pivotal coupling,'asat 21, can then be established.

During this outward operation of the frame 17, the weight of the derrickframe 17 will still maintain the plate 1'28 in the notches 340i thebolts 33. However, after the coupling at 21 has been accomplished andthe weight of the frame 17 taken up through the cylinder 20,

'the plates 28 will return to the position shown in Fig. 2,

at which time, the lever 51 can be operated to draw the bolts 33inwardly to clear the plates 28, thus allowing the framed-7 to moveoutwardly into the positions shown in Fig. lbfthe drawing,"permittingfree operation of the and the derrick operating cylinder unit 29 It willthus be apparent that any possible danger of the sudden dropping or lossof control of the derrick is obviated. It will also be understood that,while I have diagrammatically shown in the present disclosure a frontend assemblage, the derrick structure is applicable to rear endmountings, as taught in my prior applicatiomhereinbefore referred to.

In movement of the derrick from the operative positions illustrated inFig. 1 of the drawing to the latched or coupled position with the links25, the links 25 are free to move slightly laterally as the plates 3%guide plates 28 into position in passage over the curved guide plates61. It will be apparent, however, that the plates 30 engage the guideplates 61 prior to engagement of the bolts 33 with the plates 28. Thebolts 33 are under spring pressure as they move over plates 28. Afterpassing'the plates 28, the bolts 33 are moved by the springs 56 into theoperative position, shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing;

It will, of course, be apparent that the plates 61 are secured to andform a part of the plates 28.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that my invention dealsgenerally with what might be termed lift frames or apparatus which havetwo means of operation, one means swinging the frame or apparatusthrough one arc, to what may be termed a perpendicular position;whereas, the other means then takes over in controlling movement of theframe or apparatus through another are with the means provided forcoupling and uncoupling the apparatus at the upright or perpendicularposition to enable the two distinct means to perform their separatefunctions.

While frames or apparatus of this typeand kind find a distinct practicaluse in conjunction with vehicles of end of the derrick frame, said unithaving a detachable pivotal mounting on a support for said derrick incontrolling wide range operative of the derrick frame, hydraulic meansfor moving the derrick frame from the collapsed to the verticalposition, said means being pivoted to a pair of links mounted on thepivot of said derrick frame, means on said links operatively engagingthe derrick frame for movement of the frame by said hydraulic means froma collapsed to a vertical position, bolts movably supported on thederrick frame adjacent the pivot thereon and operatively engaging meanson said links to check movement of the raised derrick frame beyond thevertical position, and a single manually operated means in operativeengagement with said bolts for simultaneously withdrawing said bolts inreleasing the derrick frame from said links for movement into operativepositions beyond said vertical position.

2. A derrick as defined in claim 1, wherein said bolts include notches,and said links have plates engaging the notches of said bolts inretaining the bolts against withdrawal movement by said manuallyoperated means.

3. A derrick comprising an upwardly contracted frame, means forpivotally mounting the lower end of the frame in fixed position inconnection with a support for movement of the frame from a horizontalcollapsed position to a vertical position and wide angled operativepositions beyond said vertical position, a hydraulic cylinder unitpivotally mounted in connection with the upper contracted end of theframe and adapted to be pivotally coupled with a fixed pivot means onsaid support, said unit controlling wide angled operations of saidframe, a pair of links arranged upon the pivots of the frame with saidsupport, hydraulic means pivotally mounted on said support and pivotedto said links for actuating said links, means comprising a bolt couplingmovably supported in the frame and engaging means on said links duringmovement of said frame from the collapsed to the vertical position, andmanually operated means for withdrawing the bolt coupling from saidlinks to free said frame for operative movement by said unit in wideangle beyond said vertical position.

4. In a collapsible derrick structure of the character described,comprising a derrick frame having a fixed pivot on the structure of atruck and movable from a collapsed horizontal inoperative position atthe top of the truck to a vertical position and wide range operativepositions beyond said vertical position, of a hydraulic cylinder unitpivotally mounted in the upper free end of the derrick frame, said unithaving a detachable pivotal mounting on the truck and controllingmovement of said derrick frame in said wide range operative positions,means supported on the derrick frame adjacent its pivot and cooperatingwith hydraulically operated means on said pivot for maintaining thederrick frame in a locked control during movement of the derrick framefrom collapsed to vertical positions by said last named means, and meansfor releasing the lock control means during movement of the derrickframe for the vertical position to the operative positions under controlof said hydraulic cylinder unit.

5. In a derrick comprising an upwardly contracted frame, the lower endof said frame having a fixed pivotal mounting in connection with asupport, means for actuating the derrick frame to move the same from acollapsed horizontal inoperative position to and maintaining the same ata vertical position, said means including a pair of links arranged onthe pivot of and engaging the frame, a lock and release mechanism, saidmechanism comprising a crossframe fixed to the derrick frame adjacentthe pivot end of said derrick frame, a pair of spring actuated boltsmovably supported in said crossframe and operatively engaging means onsaid linksduring movement of said derrick frame into vertical position,manually operated means for retracting said bolts to clear said linksduring movement of said derrick frame beyond said vertical position intooperative position outwardly beyond said vertical position, meanscontrolling said operative movement of said derrick frame, saidcrossframe including a saddle portion, in which said last named means isadapted to seat in movement of the derrick frame from the collapsed tothe vertical position, and said last named means, when disposed in saidsaddle, engaging said manually operated means to render the sameinoperative.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,341,176 Jones May 25, 1920 2,331,559 McEwen Oct. 12, 1943 2,360,654Day Oct. 17, 1944 2,595,307 Selberg May 6, 1952 2,617,500 Cardwell et alNov. 11, 1952 2,671,537 Moon Mar. 9, 1954 2,715,014 Garnett et a1. Aug.9, 1955

